Edward McNally: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: St. CharlesWebsite: www.Elect-McNally.weebly.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Unit District 303 School Board Age: 54Family: Wife, LisaThree ChildrenEddie - Age 12Owen - Age 11Annie - Age 7Occupation: High School Science TeacherEducation: Dual Bachelor's DegreeAccounting/Athletic TrainingBenedictine UniversityGraduate Work in Biology and Exercise PhysiologyCivic involvement: Current D-303 School Board MemberCurrent - Learning and Teaching Chair, Community Relations Co-ChairPrevious - Learning and Teaching Co-Chair, Policy Co-ChairIllinois Coaches Association - Soccer ChairmanIHSA Volunteer StatisticianIllinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Sectional CoordinatorMultiple Educational Committees at Proviso Township High School District 209, as well as the Union Executive Board.Elected offices held: D-303 Board Member -Learning and Teaching Committee Chair -Community Relations Committee Co-ChairPast -Learning and Teaching Committee Co-Chair -Policy Committee Co-ChairQuestions Answers Do you support the closure of Haines Middle School? If so, what should be done with the Haines campus once it is closed?Yes. Because of the decline in enrollment numbers, it was necessary to find a way to reduce expenses. Of all plans presented to the board, closing a middle school was the most sensible, in tax savings and as a response to known and reasonably projected enrollment. We are aware of the hard numbers of current enrollment, and have a reasonable grasp on those being born in the area. The unknowns are those yet to be born, and move-ins. Because of the realities between the hard numbers and the "soft" numbers, the best bet was to close a middle school, with the concomitant tax savings that would accompany such a move. Closing a grade school might have been a premature move, as grade schools would likely feel the impact of an uptick in population sooner than middle or high schools. Closing a middle school would also serve to minimize the disruption to families, community and staff. The structural integrity and location of the Thompson campus made that a more feasible building for addition and renovation.The property where Haines resides should be retained by the district if possible. The land itself is a valuable asset, the sale of which would only provide a one-time benefit. There has been some interest apparently expressed by the Park District for portions of the building. Some areas of the building, however, are poorly constructed and somewhat archaic in design, and might be better razed and removed.District officials expect the student population in the district will continue to decline in coming years. Do you believe that projection is accurate? If not, why? If so, would you support the closure of any other district schools, as was contemplated last year?The projections by the district are based upon a study that indicated that there would be stagnation in population. The study took into account many numbers, some of them hard numbers (like current population/enrollment figures), some of them reasonable speculation, like birthrate, and some not-so-hard numbers "â#128;œ future births, move-ins and move-outs, etc. It has been my belief that we have likely bottomed out, and that there might be slight growth, although I would not expect this to exceed average grade level numbers around 800. This has been at least partially borne out as we have seen kindergarten enrollment edge up by approximately 25 students in this past year, along with estimates closely matching mine being stated by district administration. Additionally, many single-family homes are currently occupied by empty-nesters, who historically downsize; their homes would likely go to families with school-aged children.Should enrollments decline, it would of course be prudent to consider school closures. Last year's discussion, I think, signaled the possibility that such moves might be on the horizon if enrollment numbers dictate.Jason Pearson was selected as the next superintendent to replace Don Schlomann. What are your top goals for Mr. Pearson?My goals for Dr. Pearson are the same as they were for Dr. Schlomann "â#128;œ fiscal prudence and sound educational policy. The overarching theme to accomplish these things is transparency.It is in this area "â#128;œ transparency - that I have the most concern. I was in support of a search for a new superintendent, given that we had been aware for quite some time that Dr. Schlomann would be retiring. Although Dr. Pearson will certainly serve our district well, it was a matter of process, in my opinion, that should have led us on a search. Should that search have led us to Dr. Pearson, I would have felt more secure in our decision. As it stands, I am comfortable with the man, who has shown commitment to D303. I am still uncomfortable with the process. It was, in fact, for that reason that I abstained when voting on his appointment, being of the mind that we owed the D303 community the certainty that we sought to find the best possible candidate.Dr. Pearson's and the district administration are well-equipped to attend to the educational and fiscal needs of the district. His familiarity with the community and with district practices and traditions will serve him well.In recent years, school board members have crafted the budget with guideline of limiting annual property tax levy increases to 2 percent or less. Can/should that guideline remain in place?The guideline is in part governed by PTELL, which limits the amount of spending based upon CPI. With historically low CPIs over the last 8 years, our budgets were necessarily closer to that 2% threshold. Even with predictions of increasing CPI, it is my hope that we can maintain our levy at these levels or lower.Do you support the current plan to borrow money to replace the athletic field at St. Charles North High School with synthetic turf? Do you support a related plan to borrow money to remodel the Norris Recreation Center?I was initially opposed to the construction of the field using synthetic turf. However, given the condition of the field, something needed to be done in order to make it a safe and usable surface. After an analysis was performed, it became apparent that the choice was between replacement of the field with natural grass or replacement with synthetic turf. Although initial costs for artificial turf are higher, there is a diminishing difference in overall cost due to reduced maintenance (care of grass, repeated lining of fields, etc.). Although the cost of synthetic turf is still significantly higher, the functionality is dramatically greater. The Physical Education department is planning to make extensive use of the field, as they have been severely strapped for indoor space. Additionally, the band program will be able to use the field for practice, something they have been mostly unable to do at the North campus, having to instead compete for space with the Driver's Education program.As for the Norris Center, although we are no longer directly overseeing operation of the facility, we are still responsible for the buildings and their upkeep. The current plan, to remove racquetball courts and construct a more modest building, was shown to have the greatest cost-effectiveness relative to utility of those presented. Costs are projected to be significantly offset due to the increased functionality of the building.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Because there are going to be at least two, and possibly up to four, new board members, along with a new superintendent, a smooth transition is important. This does not mean that we have a board that agrees on all topics; in fact, a board that is essentially an echo chamber for one's own ideas tends to stagnate and become ineffective. But it is important that the board function in a manner whereby intelligent dialogue can occur.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Ben Carson. He persevered through tremendous odds to rise to the pinnacle of his career, reluctantly entering the political arena to sincerely serve the country.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?You cannot learn with your mouth open.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Perhaps to get married and start a family at a younger age, but only if I could keep the wife and children I have.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Biology. I have made my career teaching science, primarily biology-related subjects.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be honest. It's easier than trying to remember what you said, and makes you feel better in the end.